The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, has warned the Federal Government and security agencies to act before Muslims ‘run out of patience’, saying the community’s continued restraint amid what it described as persistent attacks, profiling and marginalisation should not be mistaken for weakness.
The council said Muslims had deliberately responded with restraint despite what it described as repeated provocation, while calling for swift justice over recent killings in Kaduna and Benue states and investigations into alleged police misconduct.
The warning was contained in a statement by the NSCIA’s Public Affairs Officer, Abbas Jimoh, on behalf of the council led by its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.
“While the NSCIA continues to appeal to Muslims for continuous restraint, it is imperative that government and security agencies should act decisively before the Muslims run out of patience in the light of persistent attacks and unbridled marginalization,” the council said.
The NSCIA also called on the government to ensure that those responsible for what it described as heinous crimes in Kaduna and Benue states were brought to justice without delay.
“The NSCIA hereby calls on government to ensure that the perpetrators of the heinous crimes in Kaduna and Benue States are brought to justice, without delay and according to the laws of the land. Anything short of this is an invitation to anarchy,” the statement said.
The council urged the authorities to rein in what it described as persistent attacks on Islam and Muslims in public spaces, saying that was essential to preserving peace and national cohesion.
“The barrage of open assaults on the integrity of Islam and the Muslims in public spaces should be checked in the interest of peace and order. Enough is enough,” the statement added.
It also demanded a thorough investigation into allegations that divisional police officers handed over a female Muslim scholar for burning, as well as claims that the officer who allegedly invited the slain Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, should be investigated and brought to justice.
